Those darn Dithers [book review]

Hite, Sid. Those Darn Dithers. Henry Holt, 1996. ISBN 0805038388. $16.00. 184 pp. A 4+ FI Reviewed by Tom Wright Sid Hite presents his second offering about the Dither family of Willow County, Virginia, and it is as enjoyable as the first. Hite's unique writing style flourishes as he describes this charming cast of characters. Each has his or her story to play out--from Leopold Hillacre's efforts to complete his lifelong work, The Comprehensive Guide--to Emma Bean's creation of the “astral projector,” which allows Archibald Dither to communicate with a soul beyond the veil. Hite guides the reader masterfully between stories until all resolve themselves in the warm pastoral surroundings of Dither Farm. Hite truly has a way with the language. As the exploits of the Dither clan unfold, a scattering of homespun philosophy appears. One of his favorite topics for rumination in this book as well as Dither Farm is time: Anyone who has ever visited Willow County knows the place is so flush with time its residents always have plenty to spare. Rarely do Willowites grow anxious about clocks or calendars. Why should they? That would be like Bedouins worrying about the supply of sand “ This book can be savored on more than one level. Young people can find the individual plot lines intriguing enough, and the humor quite self- sustaining. More mature readers will certainly appreciate Hite's clever manipulation of the language and his warm reflections of bucolic life. Regardless of age, there is plenty here to enjoy, and hopefully, more Dither Farm material to come in the future.

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Hite, Sid. Those Darn Dithers. Henry Holt, 1996. ISBN 0805038388. $16.00. 184 pp. A 4+ FI Reviewed by Tom Wright Sid Hite presents his second offering about the Dither family of Willow County, Virginia, and it is as enjoyable as the first. Hite's unique writing style flourishes as he describes this charming cast of characters. Each has his or her story to play out--from Leopold Hillacre's efforts to complete his lifelong work, The Comprehensive Guide--to Emma Bean's creation of the “astral projector,” which allows Archibald Dither to communicate with a soul beyond the veil. Hite guides the reader masterfully between stories until all resolve themselves in the warm pastoral surroundings of Dither Farm. Hite truly has a way with the language. As the exploits of the Dither clan unfold, a scattering of homespun philosophy appears. One of his favorite topics for rumination in this book as well as Dither Farm is time: Anyone who has ever visited Willow County knows the place is so flush with time its residents always have plenty to spare. Rarely do Willowites grow anxious about clocks or calendars. Why should they? That would be like Bedouins worrying about the supply of sand “ This book can be savored on more than one level. Young people can find the individual plot lines intriguing enough, and the humor quite self- sustaining. More mature readers will certainly appreciate Hite's clever manipulation of the language and his warm reflections of bucolic life. Regardless of age, there is plenty here to enjoy, and hopefully, more Dither Farm material to come in the future.

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